Plus Two students in Madurai district are struggling to score marks in mathematics and many of them have failed in the subject since they did not get the minimum 70 marks in the recently conducted examinations.
An analysis of performance in half-yearly examination and first revision test has shown that several students of government and corporation schools have fared poorly in four subjects — mathematics, commerce, accountancy and economics.
Since the public examinations are commencing on March 5, officials in the School Education Department and Madurai Corporation have swung into action by stepping up special coaching hours.
G. Krishnamurthy, District Educational Officer, told The Hindu on Tuesday that the immediate focus would be to make students pass in mathematics.
“We have been instructed by the Collector to visit three schools every day and ensure that low-scoring students get the maximum marks. If the overall pass percentage of the district has to go up, the number of students failing in mathematics should be less,” he said.
The DEO said that while bright students hadimproved in the recent examinations compared to quarterly results, the performance of slow-learners/weak students in mathematics, economics, accountancy and commerce was worrying and hence ‘minimum 70 marks’ was the plan before them.
A. Ramakrishnan, DEO, conceded that mathematics was giving a tough time for several students. “Coaching classes are conducted on Saturdays too, besides daily evening classes. Since there are no practical marks for mathematics and arts group subjects, students have to attend all the questions if they have to score the minimum 70 marks to pass,” he added.
Corporation Education Officer M. Rajendran said teachers had been asked to pay special attention to the list of slow-learners taken for each school. “Commissioner C. Kathiravan had personally reviewed the results of half-yearly and revision examinations. He has asked the headmasters/headmistresses to give the last minute push to ensure a pass for all students,” Mr. Rajendran said.
